The Last Guests of Winter

Before the world turned to ice, her family came knocking, ready to negotiate the terms of our marriage.

They wanted more than commitment. They wanted three million dollars and three luxury homes.

My parents shut them down immediately. It was ridiculous.

Then, the storm hit.

The blizzard sealed us inside the house.

With numbers on their side and no mercy to spare, her family took control of everything. The food. The heat. Our chances.

When we fought back, we lost. They dragged us outside and left us in the snow.

We froze.

Then, I opened my eyes.

I was back to before it all began.

"My parents are coming over in three days. We'll settle the terms with your father. You'd better be ready to meet our demands."

I stared at the bright red lips opening and closing in front of me, then glanced up at the blazing sun overhead. A rush of excitement hit me so hard that it felt like I had slapped myself across the face.

Jasmine Baker, the girl I used to treat like a goddess, rolled her eyes in disgust.

"Are you crazy, Carson? Don't think acting like an idiot will get you out of meeting our terms."

Her words yanked me out of the dizzy joy of being reborn. I looked her up and down carefully.

I spent five years pursuing her, from college until then.

I thought that would be enough time for anyone to change.

I was wrong. She was pregnant with another man's child and still had the audacity to ask me for three million dollars to prove I was serious about marrying her.

When the storm came in my previous life, she and her entire family took over my home, drove my family out into the icy darkness, and left us to die.

Maybe my expression had turned too dark; Jasmine shrank back a little.

"Why are you looking at me like that? What kind of a decent girl gets married without proper terms?"

'What kind of a decent girl asks for a hundred thousand dollars? You're also carrying another man's baby.' I kept that part to myself.

The pain from my last moments before death flashed through my mind. Suddenly, an idea formed.

"Of course, you should have it. Absolutely. And forget three days. Let's talk tomorrow."

As soon as I finished speaking, I drove straight back to my villa on the mountain and told the housekeeper to clear out all the food.

Then, I gave another order to install surveillance cameras in every room. I wanted to see everything, anytime I chose.

I had just finished with that when my future mother-in-law, Kelly Shaw, called.

"Carson, I heard from Jas that the meeting between our families has been moved up.

"That makes things a bit inconvenient for us. Why don't you send us a car? It'll make your family look more presentable, too. What do you think?"

Memories from my previous life surged up so violently that I almost crushed my phone in my hand. I forced myself to stay calm.

"You're absolutely right. I'll have the driver bring a car over to your place right away."

Satisfied, Kelly hung up cheerfully.

I immediately called the driver.

"Plan the route carefully. On the way back, drain the fuel until there's only just enough to reach the mountain villa. Not a drop more."

The next day, Jasmine's family arrived at the villa, acting as arrogant as ever.

Just like in my previous life, Kelly theatrically removed her cheap knockoff sunglasses and looked around the house with disdain.

"I thought your family was rich. This looks pretty average to me."

I glanced at the four people standing in front of me, a little confused.

In my previous life, all their relatives had come. So, why was it only Jasmine's parents and her brother, Luis Baker, this time?

Thinking about that whole group working together to shove me out the door back then, I clenched my fists.

"Jas, why is it just your immediate family? This is a happy occasion. You should bring everyone to celebrate."

Kelly shot me a look full of contempt.

"Easy for you to say. What kind of junk car did you send us?

"It only had four tiny seats. How were we supposed to bring anyone else?"

I closed my eyes for a second, speechless. Before I could respond, Luis cut in.

"Mom, Dad, what are you talking about? The car may be small, but it's worth over a hundred thousand."

Then, he leaned in and whispered something to Kelly. Her expression finally softened.

"Luis thinks the car is decent. Fine. Send a few more cars to pick up our relatives, then we can talk."

I let out a silent, icy laugh.

To me, money was just a number.

"If a few cars are all it takes to trap you here and send you to your deaths, then I'd gladly pay the price," I murmured to myself.